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Tips for DMV service center customers

Best time

• All DMV service centers and DMV phone centers will be closed the following days:

  • 2009: January 1, January 19, February 16, May 25, August 7, September 4, September 7, October 12, November 26-27, December 24-25, December 31.
  • 2010: January 1, January 15, January 18, February 15, March 5, April 2, May 28, May 31, July 2, July 5, September 3, September 6, October 11, November 25-26, December 24-25, December 31.
  • 2011: January 1, January 14, January 17, May 30, July 4, September 5, November 24, December 24, December 26, December 31.

• The best days to visit a DMV office are mid-week - avoid Mondays and Fridays.
• The best time to visit a DMV office is between 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.; or 2 p.m.-4 p.m. (Check the hours for the office you plan to visit.)
• Avoid the first and last day of the month and the day after a holiday.
• DMV customer service centers accept cash or checks only. Credit cards are accepted for online transactions. 

Save more with mail

• Save $3 by mailing in your license plate renewal, or $5 by mailing in your title application.

Online 

• Renew with your Visa, MasterCard or Discover Card. Use the online license plate renewal. Your credit or debit card will be charged an additional $1 service charge.

DMV partners offer services

• Automobile and light truck plates can be renewed at a vehicle emission inspection station, whether or not an emission test is required for your vehicle. The lines are shorter, and they have Saturday and evening hours. 
• There are several third party agencies and businesses around the state who can provide title, registration and/or registration renewal services for walk-in customers.

Come prepared

• If you come in for driver licensing services, you will need proof of your identity and your social security number.
• You may also need to proof of:
  • name and date of birth
  • Wisconsin residency
  • legal presence (effective April 1, 2007)
• Knowledge tests (written) for Class D (regular license) and Class M (motorcycle license) take about 45 minutes to complete. Commercial driver license (CDL) knowledge tests take at least 1 to 1½ hours. Please allow enough time to complete tests prior to when the service center is scheduled to close.

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Questions about the content of this page:
Bureau of Field Services, bfs.dmv@dot.state.wi.us 
Last modified: December 13, 2007